To the OP's point about positioning new post blocks over the buried concrete/stump ... Personally I would feel happier with that than what you currently have but there are code requirements as to how high the deck can be on such footings versus proper buried footings.

Out of interest ... Are you somewhere that gets frost in winter or are you somewhere hot all year? I don't recall if you said your concrete buried posts go as far as the frost line (4' here but varies by location).

We do get frost and the posts are close to 4' deep.

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You're totally wrong. A little home project is not "illegal work". I'm not this evil contractor or carpenter going house to house putting up dangerous structures. Seriously, what's stuck up your behind? Don't make it like you have never done a wrong thing in your life.

You going to call your building department and tell them what you did like I said. Can you answer this or will you avoid answering this again?

You going to call your building department and tell them what you did like I said. Can you answer this or will you avoid answering this again?

I'll do that tomorrow.

You should admit you're wrong for painting a false picture of who I am. It's not smart to talk when you don't know. I've always been a hobby woodworker, but I recently decided to move on to all aspects of carpentry. I've been trying to get apprenticeships, but almost everyone today hires "illegals" who work for next to nothing, and are not future competition threats to the company. In the mean time I've been practicing on my family's home. Like I said I'll call the building department tomorrow and explain to them what I did, but I still don't believe I committed a crime. Especially when you consider what I just said above about how many illegals work for contractors, don't pay taxes. and take away the jobs of people that are legal citizens. Two wrongs don't make a right, but this deck extension is a joke compared to the true crimes and dangers that are committed

You should admit you're wrong for painting a false picture of who I am. It's not smart to talk when you don't know. I've always been a hobby woodworker, but I recently decided to move on to all aspects of carpentry. I've been trying to get apprenticeships, but almost everyone today hires "illegals" who work for next to nothing, and are not future competition threats to the company. In the mean time I've been practicing on my family's home. Like I said I'll call the building department tomorrow and explain to them what I did, but I still don't believe I committed a crime.....

To Clarify; The Building Dept, and related inspections fall under Public Safety. That means that you can be subject to fines, penalties and also jail-time if you are found to be in violation of specific codes, laws and regulations. So yes, building without permit(s) is considered "illegal", even, if your prefer not to view it that way.

Now that being said, be prepared for a 2x to 3x permit cost. That is the general penalty for not pulling a permit in most areas (I cannot speak for all).

Either way, going to the Building Dept first is always the best option.

If you are spaning 10' with 2x6 pt you really need to put a center beam in to help carry the load. You should me using 2x8.......Even though I don't believe in using a 2x6 on anything other then a wall I am building a 10'x8' deck on my property. But I have 2 beams under it (The reason for me using 2x6 is I have a crap load left over from a project).

Like I said I'll call the building department tomorrow and explain to them what I did, but I still don't believe I committed a crime. Especially when you consider what I just said above about how many illegals work for contractors, don't pay taxes. and take away the jobs of people that are legal citizens. Two wrongs don't make a right, but this deck extension is a joke compared to the true crimes and dangers that are committed

Amen to that. If people want to say their piece such as "consult your local building dept," fine, but the guy doesn't need nor is this the place to lecture him. Please take the "holier than thou" BS elsewhere. Yes it's "illegal" to not pull a permit for many things, but so is driving 60mph in a 55 mph zone, and I'd also argue that pulling a permit for many things is entirely unneccessary and stupid in some areas. As mike (the mod) said, it's between him and God.

Amen to that. If people want to say their piece such as "consult your local building dept," fine, but the guy doesn't need nor is this the place to lecture him. Please take the "holier than thou" BS elsewhere. Yes it's "illegal" to not pull a permit for many things, but so is driving 60mph in a 55 mph zone, and I'd also argue that pulling a permit for many things is entirely unneccessary and stupid in some areas. As mike (the mod) said, it's between him and God.

Another Diy'er who doesn't get it. We are talking about construction not speed limits.

People who knowingly do illegal construction work and then screw it up and come here looking for a fix need to be lectured. It's that simple!

This isn't supposed to be a forum condoning this and ignoring it. People here should tell/lecture them about this especially with structural work.

while I agree, rules and regulations should be followed. I also agree many times, inspections and permits are simple a means of income for townships/ municipalities. I do not believe this forum was designed to monitor or enforce those rules. this is supposed to be a place for those with more experience and knowledge, to help those with less. for example, I bought my new home in 2001, I wanted a storage shed in the back yard, I inquired about permit to have a 12'x16' pre built shed delivered and set up. my township wanted $200 for a 120 square foot shed delivered. however, I could build one myself up to 300 square feet with no permit, and really no restrictions of code other than height, 2x4 construction with nails, no staples, and a 10' set back from all property lines,+ any structure has to compliment the integrity of the property. in fact they want a permit costing $150 to change the color of any outside part of my home, right down to the shutters. I appealed to our association for permission to bring in my shed. as they must approve it's location on my property. after two years I heard nothing, I contacted to lawyer for our association. he sent me a letter telling me to put the shed where I wanted, whatever size I wanted as long as 25% of my property remained clear. the next week,I had a 16'x20' shed, 320 square feet delivered and placed. I'm uncertain of the actual set backs as the builder wont have official surveys done until this project is complete and turned over to the township.

also, I've built enough commercial buildings in 37 years to know that architects and engineers are in cahoots with certain manufacturers of building supplies, when you see their names/stamps on blueprints requiring certain fasteners and clips made by company xxx-ooo. and you're building the buildings 2-300 miles apart.

it's all about the money as far as I'm concerned.

Larry/coupe

__________________
as always, just my thoughts
good luck....coupe/Larry
take what helps? ignore the rest.

People who knowingly do illegal construction work and then screw it up and come here looking for a fix need to be lectured. It's that simple!

This isn't supposed to be a forum condoning this and ignoring it. People here should tell/lecture them about this especially with structural work.

As I said, saying your piece is fine, but you think you're going to change someone over an internet forum? I don't think anyone is condoning illegal things, but there are plenty of LOGICAL reasons why people don't pull permits for certain things, and it's not because the counties and inspectors are overly helpful. "Illegal" is relative, hence the analogy I gave to you.

As I said, saying your piece is fine, but you think you're going to change someone over an internet forum? I don't think anyone is condoning illegal things, but there are plenty of LOGICAL reasons why people don't pull permits for certain things, and it's not because the counties and inspectors are overly helpful. "Illegal" is relative, hence the analogy I gave to you.

Alright this "hardened criminal" is back. I spoke to the inspector this morning and he said they actually still prefer that you BURY the posts in the ground. I explained how I've been told that international code today is to pour a footing then place a bracket on top, and post above that. He said that is one method, but there is nothing wrong with setting a post in the ground and packing it with dirt... He'll come check it out, and he knows my contractor friend, so I don't believe I'll get any fine for beginning the construction without the permit. However, I did realize I made one other potentially big mistake and that is my post has some concrete around it. When I stuck the post in I poured concrete up half away around the post and filled the rest with soil. How big of a problem is the premature rooting I can expect? Is there anyway to rectify this without digging up the posts? Maybe setting a floating pier with a post and bracket next to the posts that are already there?

Another Diy'er who doesn't get it. We are talking about construction not speed limits.

People who knowingly do illegal construction work and then screw it up and come here looking for a fix need to be lectured. It's that simple!

This isn't supposed to be a forum condoning this and ignoring it. People here should tell/lecture them about this especially with structural work.

And you still don't get that I didn't "knowingly" do Illegal work. I did know about getting a permit when doing construction, but I didn't think for something this small it was necessary. I'm not a contractor, so I'm not familiar with these rules and regulations. You live and learn, we all do. Doesn't mean you have to come on here with guns blazing, scolding anyone that made a mistake.

If you are spaning 10' with 2x6 pt you really need to put a center beam in to help carry the load. You should me using 2x8.......Even though I don't believe in using a 2x6 on anything other then a wall I am building a 10'x8' deck on my property. But I have 2 beams under it (The reason for me using 2x6 is I have a crap load left over from a project).

I have two beams one foot in on both sides spanning 8'. The old deck is built of 4x4 posts and 2x6s, it's held up well for 25 years.